The Paul Bird Motorsport Team has concluded their pre-season testing programme and are now looking to the season commencing in both MotoGP and British Superbikes. Following their recent Spanish tests, both PBMUK Aprilia rider James Ellison in MotoGP and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki BSB riders Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton have all made good progress aboard their respective machinery. Ellison, from Kendal, had to overcome some major chatter issues on the CRT-specification Aprilia RSV at Jerez over the weekend where a huge crowd turned out to witness the final MotoGP test. Working with his new team, the Cumbrian reported that good progress had been made and is now looking forward to the season opener in Qatar on April 8. Meanwhile, double BSB champion Byrne from Sittingbourne, and Hawick rider Easton were in action at the official tests at Brands Hatch and Snetterton last week where they continued progress with the Kawasaki ZX-10Rs which will see them challenging for honours in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. Both riders were concentrating more on their machine set-ups than actual lap times and further work is planned on the MoTeC ignition system later this week prior to the opening round at Brands Hatch over Easter. Paul Bird: “I flew out to Jerez to see how James was getting on and to see how things were gelling with the new team. Despite some major chatter problems which nearly knocked his teeth out, the team did well and there were no major issues or crashes which was important as we are still awaiting some parts for the bike from Aprilia. We still have some work to do but now it’s all about the first race in Qatar so we will get a better picture of where we are then. The BSB team still has some work to do on the MoTeC systems we are using this year so we may have a run out at Knockhill later this week but both Stuart and Shakey are making solid progress and will be good to go for Brands Hatch.” PBMUK Launch Brand New Website Paul Bird Motorsport has today launched a brand new website www.pbmuk.net to provide information and pictures on the various teams which encompass the collective PBM(UK) operation. As well as contesting the MotoGP World Championship with James Ellison and the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Stuart Easton, team owner Paul Bird is competing in the MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship as well as selected international events. The team is also sponsoring Keith Farmer in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship. Check out www.pbmuk.net for further information and remember to check back regularly for updates on the teams various activities during a very busy season.